Mo. Senate Passes Protections for Nursing Mothers

JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Senate has passed a bill that would allow nursing mothers to be excused from jury duty.

The measure approved Thursday would require nursing mothers to submit a written note from a doctor. The bill also adds expressing breast milk to the list of protected activities under current state law.

It would also prohibit cities from passing local ordinances restricting breast-feeding mothers.

Senators voted 30-4 to send the legislation to the House. The sponsor is Republican Sen. Rob Schaaf, a physician from St. Joseph.